I am doing a six day trip in September with some fellow BPLers I have not met in person. I am approaching it as a solo hike where I will be self contained and will hike at my own pace within the daily mileage I will need to make. If we all hit it off that will be great and an added benefit. We have all chatted on-line and I think it is likely we will be pretty compatible and everyone seems to know what they are doing. For me the key is being self contained and independent. The only pressure or difficulty will be making each designated camp site. Hiking with others might be motivation if milage gets rough. As someone who does a lot of solo hikes, the added company and measure of safety will be welcome.

Ive gone on 2 meetups only.Its a great concept and it does work but there are plenty of weirdo s out there.On a backpack trip,1 member was a a spoiled trust fund jerk who drank a lot and boasted about using ecstasy and was a know it all about everything under the sun...he tried to start a fight with a female member whom he brought to tears.He came very close to fulfilling his deathwish on that trip.

In another meetup,i arrived on time and met the group.I went to put on my snowshoes and gear and the group left without me.Up to that point the organizer and i had numerous contact.After she bailed on me she never answered her phone or answered emails when i wanted to know what happened.This organizer has led many trips but i know unlike her profile she doesnt have much depth or backcountry knowledge and is dangerously irresponsible(hello,Dionne,LA Backpackers).

I have found that since I began leading Sierra Club hikes about 15 years ago the general fitness level of the average person has drastically declined. It has gotten to the point that I will lead only 3 or 4 day hikes a year. It's just too much trouble. I would much prefer to hike with no responsibility for people in over their heads, as most seem to be these days.

The leader of our meetup group has organized/led a number of backpack trips.Given that, you would think that they were experienced.On this trip she had to have another member carry her pack for the last mile!

It's not that women want to be equals, they want to be better than men, and chivalry is just one manifestation of this.

When was the last time SHE bounced ahead and held the door open for you?Or drove and then opened your passenger-side door?Or a female carried a pack for you, instead of just cocking her head a little sideways and looking at you funny?Or bought you dinner?Or let you pick what color the bedspread is going to be?!Or mowed the lawn for you!